Graphs

Graphing Chemical Data to Identify Fractional Crystallizationpart of Cutting Edge:Courses:Petrology:Teaching ExamplesJohn Brady, Smith College Students are given major-element, whole-rock chemical analyses from ten samples of lava from the 1868 eruption of Mauna Loa. They do not know sequence of eruption, only that the lavas came from the same volcano. ...

Variation Diagrams and the Evolution of Thingmuli Lavas, Icelandpart of Cutting Edge:Courses:Petrology:Teaching ExamplesJeff Tepper, University of Puget Sound In this problem set students are provided with an EXCEL spreadsheet containing major element analyses of lavas frm Thingmuli Volcano in Iceland. They are asked to construct variation diagrams (Harker plots) and ...

Demonstration of radioactive decay using penniespart of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionJennifer Wenner, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh A demonstration (with full class participation) to illustrate radioactive decay by flipping coins. Shows students visually the concepts of exponential decay, half-life and randomness. Works best in large classes – the more people, the better.

Density of rocks - How large is a ton of rock?part of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionLen Vacher, Dept of Geology, University of South Florida This module addresses the problem of how to determine the size of a ton of rocks of a given composition and invites the student to figure out how to solve the problem.

The Earth's Shells - Thicknesses and Densitiespart of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionLen Vacher, Dept of Geology, University of South Florida This module explores the combination of densities and shell thicknesses that produce an aggregate density of the Earth of 5.5 g/cm3.

Exploring Radiometric Dating with Dicepart of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionCarla Whittington derived from Baer (1999)
Related Links Radioactive Decay ProbabilityExponential Growth and Decay An activity in which students use dice to explore radioactive decay and dating and make simple calculations.

What is the fate of CO2 produced by fossil fuel combustion?part of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionPaul Quay A box model is used to simulate the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during the industrial era and predict the future increase in atmospheric CO2 levels during the next century.

Introduction to Texas Hurricanespart of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionOney Fitzpatrick, Jim Jordan, and Jim Westgate - Lamar University, Beaumont, TX Students graph data from 20th century hurricanes that affected the state of Texas. Along the way they answer questions that ask them to interpret what they see represented on the graphs.

Density of the Earth - How to Solve Itpart of Quantitative Skills:Activity CollectionLen Vacher, Dept of Geology, University of South Florida This module addresses the real problem of determining the density of the Earth and invites the student to figure out how to solve the problem.